Bayern Munich Mourns Tragic Death of Young Defender Guo Jiaxuan

Munich, Germany — Bayern Munich confirmed the devastating news of the passing of 18-year-old footballer Guo Jiaxuan following a tragic incident during a training match in Spain. Guo, who was a promising young defender and part of the club’s World Squad initiative, suffered a severe head injury on February 6.

According to a club statement released on March 20, Guo was injured during a training match against the Spanish team RC Alcobendas, organized by the Beijing Football Association. He was struck in the head by an opposing player’s knee, leading to a subarachnoid hemorrhage—a rare type of stroke.

Emergency responders rushed Guo to a hospital in Madrid, where doctors later declared him brain dead due to the serious injury. His family was notified, and in the days following the incident, they sought further treatment for him in China, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries on March 19, one day before his 19th birthday.

Bayern Munich expressed their sorrow in a public statement, saying, “FC Bayern is mourning the passing of Guo Jiaxuan, the former World Squad player who has died at the age of 18 in his native China. He succumbed to the effects of a serious head injury following a tragic accident during a training match in Spain on 6 February. The club’s thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Guo had been highlighted as a promising talent, having represented China’s national teams at the Under-17 level, and was participating in Bayern Munich’s international youth development initiative aimed at nurturing football talents worldwide.

His brother shared updates about Guo’s condition on social media, revealing the family’s anguish as they awaited news on his health. “The doctors said my brother had too much bleeding in his head and that there was little hope of survival,” the brother wrote. He also noted that their father refused to turn off Guo’s life support as they sought for him to return home for treatment.

In a statement, Guo’s club, Beijing Guoan, expressed their condolences, saying, “We have lost a child who loved football. May Jiaxuan rest in peace! We will continue to do our utmost to deal with the consequences appropriately and provide all necessary help and support to Guo Jiaxuan’s family.”

The accident has raised concerns surrounding player safety during training matches, prompting discussions on the importance of health protocols and insurance arrangements for young athletes.

As the football community mourns this tragic loss, Guo Jiaxuan is remembered not only for his talent on the field but also for his passion for the game.